New Antibiotic Prescribing Measure Key to Curbing Inappropriate Use

Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory conditions like bronchitis and the common cold contributes to antibiotic-resistant pathogens, increased risk of adverse drug events, and unnecessary healthcare spending. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has developed a validated measure called the Antibiotic Utilization for Respiratory Conditions (AXR) measure to help stakeholders analyze prescribing practices and provide feedback on inappropriate antibiotic use. This can help minimize inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and improve patient outcomes. The AXR measure assesses overall antibiotic use for patients three months and older with a respiratory condition diagnosis in an outpatient setting.